Gender and the Religion of Ancient Egypt

This article will address the issue of gender within the framework of ancient Egyptian religion. Two primary areas of importance will be explored; the role of gender in the divine world, and the role of gender for the practitioners of the religion. The religion of ancient Egypt was especially concerned with aspects of gender because of their focus on fertility and spiritual rebirth, concepts which were often expressed using gendered language and visual metaphors. The second part of the article explores the ways in which women negotiated the primarily male dominated religious hierarchy. The practice of Egyptian religion was also affected because of the gender roles that men and women played in their society. The temple was not simply a religious edifice, but also had administrative aspects that women were normally excluded from. This did not mean women were excluded from meaningful participation in the cult, but rather they forged an identity based on providing music for the cult in various ways.